Living Limitations

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary will introduce Lent to many at the Sunday Liturgy. The public witness of Pope Francis over the past year has prepared many to consider as James Martin SJtweets “This Lent, why not return to church? Does Pope Francis make you feel more welcome? That's God's welcome. Come home.” The text from the Book of Genesis takes us back to our spiritual beginnings. We are created in the image of God and Friar Jude Winkler reminds us of an ancient Jewish saying which states that angels call out in front of all humans for the honour due the creatures which image God. Our creation is as limited beings. Friar Jude teaches the sin of Adam and Eve as the failure to except the limits of our being and to be jealous of God and greater authority and power than is ours. The issue of our limitations is difficult to confront. What is the source of the sin in the world which is identified by Paul in his letter to the Romans other than our own decisions like Adam to take care of ourselves to the exclusion of and separation from others?  The free gift of Jesus from God to humanity is our peace and justification before and with the Creator. Many people have sought to get in deeper connection with the Spirit of God through meditation and fasting. Jan Schnack of Creighton University shares some of her practice of fasting to bring more time in the prayer of listening to God into her life. A reflection which compares the fasting and temptation of Jesus and Siddhartha brings us to two points for consideration. Fasting and physical calming open the body to hear the Spirit and the temptation to act outside our limitations and to be in charge are at the root of self aggrandizement which moves us to power, pride and privilege, sometimes with up front noble intentions, and away from the humility, hope and faith which puts the power in the hands and will of the Transcendent God who continues to invite us to be clearer pictures of His Image to the world.